Regis Bobonis Sr.

Passed peacefully on Friday November 25 of natural causes. Regis was a “trail blazer” and “pioneer” throughout his life. At a young age he was fascinated with the world of communications. Following his graduation from Duquesne University, Regis became a news reporter for the Pittsburgh Courier, then he became the first African American news reporter in Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. He then made the transition to broadcast news by becoming the first African American television news reporter in Pittsburgh for WIIC (now WPXI). He then left news reporting and entered into the world of public relations by spending the next 25 years as the Public Relations Director at Mercy Hospital and then ending his professional career by retiring as the Director of Community Relations for The Duquesne Light Company. Regis was a U.S. Navy veteran. He served as a Petty Officer 3rd class during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Regis married his Schenley high school sweet heart and the love of his life; the late Hurley Williams. They remained married for the next 53 years. It was after her passing that Regis launched his last and probably his most notable accomplishment. While working for the Daniel B Matthews Historical Society in Sewickley Pa. on the 5 Tuskegee Airman from Sewickley ,Regis discovered there were more Tuskegee Airman from Western Pennsylvania. than any other state in the union. He successfully spearheaded a campaign to honor those Airman by having a memorial built in The Sewickley Cemetery. Regis is survived by his daughters; Nickie McCalla of San Diego, Yvette Flaxman of point Breeze, Leslie Myers of Sewickley and survived by his son Regis Jr. also of Sewickley. He is also survived by his one granddaughter Melanie Myers and his four grandsons, David Joshua McCalla, Jonathan Daniel McCalla & Michael and Maurice Myers. In Lieu flowers please donate to the : Tuskegee Memorial Fund P.O. Box 216, Sewickley Pa. 15143. At Regis’ wishes there will be no viewing and the funeral mass will be private. The Bobonis family will hold a memorial gathering. The time and place is still TBA. Arrangements are entrusted to the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Inc. 328 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143